Gasthaus Christmas Market offers stunning wood, glass ornaments

When Charles Sherman purchased the Gasthaus Christmas Market from Werner Fischer and Joerg Hoerath four years ago, he did it because the market meant something to him. It did not take long for Sherman to realize that it meant a great deal to a lot of other people as well.

“They’re so, so grateful. They just love coming.” Sherman says of the Christmas market’s clientele. “It’s almost like to some people this is their staple. This is the thing that they do that’s special, the thing they look forward to. I love hearing those stories from people.

“The big thing that we hear a lot from people is that we’re their family tradition. They make the point of coming out every single year.”

Gasthaus Christmas Market, which originally opened in 2006, is like no other. It consists entirely of handmade wood and glass ornaments from Germany and other parts of Europe. There are so many options to choose from that Sherman estimates the market has less than half a percent of what’s available to him each year.

“There’s so much over there. So much variety,” Sherman says. “Every single town has a Christmas market. There are artisans everywhere. They are incredibly talented people over there.”

Sherman’s full-time job is in personal finance, but his love of the market persuaded him to take the reins four years ago. Sherman’s mom and sister help run the operation during the day while he is at work, and he is there at night and on weekends to revel in the joy the market brings to so many.

Popular traditional items at the market include pyramids, where heat from candles cause a central carousel with a rotor on top to spin. Incense burners are also popular both for their aroma and the beauty of the ornaments themselves.

“Part of the magic of the market is every single year, every single time you visit, there are always new ornaments, new things to look at,” Sherman says. For customers looking for something specific Sherman is able to offer custom orders given the scale at which everything is produced in Germany.

Anyone wishing to get into the Christmas spirit and perhaps start a family tradition of their own can visit the market at 5790 Beach Ave. in Peachland. Hours of operation are 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily until Christmas.

Gasthaus Christmas Market and Castanet have teamed up on a contest. Those who enter the free contest here will be eligible to win a wooden Christmas pyramid. The entry window closes on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021 at 11:59 p.m.

This article is written by or on behalf of the sponsoring client and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.